NJ Pilot Program To Weigh Pros, Cons Of Starting School Later

WEST ORANGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — Some New Jersey high schoolers may soon get an extra hour of sleep.

A new pilot program aims to find out the pros and cons of starting the school day later.

Students Aleyzhia West and Ashley Pierre, both 16 years old, told CBS2’s Vanessa Murdock the bell at West Orange High School rings at 7:24 a.m.

“It’s too early,” West said.

“I’m tired [when I get to school]. Like, I don’t feel like I want to do anything,” Pierre said.

Pierre says she feels like she isn’t able to fully focus until after lunch, and she says starting school at 8:30 a.m. would make a difference.

Some members of the New Jersey state legislature think so, too.

Gov. Phil Murphy just signed into law a new pilot program. Under the program, five districts in the state would implement later starts to the day in high school. The start time must be 8:30 a.m. or later.